Free Buddhist Audio

The Pure Land Sutras are described as practices, not texts to be read and understood, but rather engaged with as if a piece of music, inviting us to awaken our imagination. Ratnaguna gives us a in depth look at the beauty in the Sukhavati Sutras in this week's FBA Podcast: "Adventures In the Pure Land – Beauty." This is the 2nd talk in a series of four talks inspired by the Pure Land Sutras at Triratna Night at Manchester Buddhist Centre. February 9th 2015

This week's FBA Podcast is a gem from Vajratara entitled: "The Buddha, The Bodhicitta and Bhante." Vajratara introduces the Bodhicitta in an easily accessible format: what, why and how. She starts with the symbolism of the Buddha's own Bodhisattva vow at the time of Dipankara, the previous Buddha. She also draws out Sangharakshita s unique understanding of the Bodhicitta and how that has shaped the Triratna Order and Movement. Given at Tiratanaloka on a retreat for women training for Ordination.

Does Buddhism have anything to say about the recent attacks in Paris? What about liberal democracy; does Buddhism agree? Our FBA Podcast this week, "The Diamond Throne" explores these very questions. With characteristic intelligence and sensitivity, Chairman of the Centre Jnanavaca launches 2015 by exploring such issues via the vision of the Vajrasana – the diamond throne.

Our FBA Podcast this week is entitled "Building the Buddhaland". Here Dayamala discusses the various aspects of the Buddhaland and how we, as Buddhist practitioners, can hope to take part in the building of it.

Our FBA Podcast this week is "Adventures in the Pure Land – Happiness". Here Ratnaguna begins a series of four special talks at Manchester Buddhist Centre on the Pure Land sutras, with an exploration on the theme of Happiness.

Our FBA Podcast this week is entitled "Death and the Self, and the Buddha's Unanswered Questions". Here Vaddhaka delves into the Buddha's unanswered questions; questions that Vacchagotta, Malunkyaputta and others asked him. Among them: 'What happens to a Buddha after death?' And what happens at our own death; what did the Buddha really say; and why did the renowned Buddhist scholar Paul Williams convert from Buddhism to Roman Catholicism?

Our FBA Podcast this week is entitled "Bodhicitta and Spiritual Death" by Vijayamala, a talk given as part of the Understanding, Exploring and Realising Spiritual Death retreat, led by Kamalashila and Vijayamala, at Adhisthana Dec 2014.

Our FBA Podcast this week is entitled "The Mystery of Exchanging Self and Other". This is the fifth in a series of six talks given by Padmavajra, based on verses from Shantideva's 'Guide to The Bodhisattva's Way of Life', otherwise known as 'The Bodhicaryavatara'. Talks given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, on the Winter Retreat, December 2011 – January 2012.

This week's FBA Podcast, "Awareness Is Revolutionary", by Sona, takes a sharp look at Buddhism and secular mindfulness. Calling on his many years experience working with Breathworks, Sona explores how we use the Buddha's teaching and mindfulness to alleviate pain and suffering.

In this wide-ranging FBA Podcast entitled "Understanding Money, Understanding Ourselves", Siddhisambhava encourages us to talk about money more and suggests reasons why we often find that so hard to do. She outlines the Buddha's approach to money and encourages us become clearer and more confident in it.